Market Update

Online Gambling Companies Tumble

Elena
02 Oct, 2006
New York City

PartyGaming plunged 60% to 43 pence (81 cents), shares in 888 sank 48% to 76 pence ($1.42), while Sportingbet shares dropped 67% to 60 pence ($1.12). PartyGaming said it would pull out of the United States if President Bush signs the legislation into law.

Japan Higher on Upbeat Manufacturers

Ivaylo
02 Oct, 2006
New York City

The Bank of Japan tankan survey of business conditions stated Monday, although some economists expressed worries forward-looking sentiment estimates pointed to a nearing slowdown. The headline diffusion index for big manufacturers'''' sentiment came in at 24, higher than market expectations of 20 for the past three months. The tankan suggested the economy will be softening into next year, mainly because of the direction of the diffusion index into next quarter.

Mergers, Commodities Boost Europe

Ivaylo
02 Oct, 2006
New York City

Gains from commodities companies such as oil and gold helped European stocks start the fourth quarter on a positive note Monday, although shares in online gambling companies including PartyGaming plunged in London after a law was passed that may lead to companies to stop accepting bets from their top customers, Americans. The FTSE 100 in London climbed 0.2%, Frankfurt Xetra Dax added 0.3% and in Paris, the CAC 40 gained 0.2%.

Gold, Silver Slip

Ivaylo
02 Oct, 2006
New York City

Firmer dollar sentiment and light profit taking in the oil market weighed on gold and the other precious metals on Friday. With the dollar stronger and oil down sharply, stimuli are negative, both from a technical and fundamental standpoint, and fund selling occurred. December gold was unable to maintain momentum through the $610 an ounce area as a factor contributing to the pullback.

Dow Up 4.7%, S&P Up 5.2%

123jump.com Staff
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

Market averages lacked direction as the third quarter closed down. Dow for the September month rose 2.6% and crude oil dropped 15%. For the third quarter Dow gained 4.7%, Nasdaq rose 4% and S&P 500 advanced 5.2%. General Motors gained 70% at the end of the third quarter leading the other companies int he index. Akamai Technologies led the Nasdaq 100 with a gain of 151%.

Telecoms, Automakers Lead European Gainers

Elena
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

European markets finished Friday session in the positive territory, led by telecommunication and automotive shares. A decline in oil prices lent support to automakers like BMW, up 1.2%, but weighed on oil companies at the same time, with BP falling 0.9% and Cairn energy losing 1.5%. The German DAX 30 ended up 0.3%. The French CAC 40 ended flat at 5,250. London FTSE 100 advanced 0.2%.

HP Gains after Hurd's Testimony

Elena
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

Stocks were little changed Friday, with the Dow Jones industrial average briefly surpassing its all-time high close before retreating to lower levels. Losses by DuPont and Exxon Mobil helped offset gains for the blue-chip index. Among the leading gainers, Research in Motion surged 19% and Corel Corp. rose 17% after reporting upbeat quarterly earnings. Hewlett-Packard rose more than 2% as investors appeared pleased with the testimony of Hurd.

Q1 GDP Up 8.9%

Elena
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

The Sensex was steady throughout the trading session on heavy buying following an efficient rollover in the futures and options segment for September. Metal stocks led the rally, consumer durables surged, autos advanced. Banking and oil and gas shares declined. Maruti Udyog led the advancers, Tata Steel and Bajaj Auto also gained. India GDP grew 8.9% in the April-June 2006 quarter from a year earlier. Finance Minister said the government will target inflation below 4%.

Averages Lack Directon

Elena
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

U.S. stocks lacked direction at opening following downbeat economic news, with consumer spending down by the largest amount in a year and inflation higher by 2.5%. The Dow once again briefly tapped its all-time closing high, up to 11,724.78 surpassing its record-high close of 11,722.98 for the second session in a row.

London Breaches 6,000 Level

Ivaylo
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

This is its highest level since the index slipped a 10 % correction mode in May and took its gains for the week to more than 3%. With the Dow Jones briefly overtaking its record closing high overnight, the FTSE 100 reached 6,002.9 in morning trade.By late morning, though, profit taking was witnessed already, and the index was 10.60 points higher, or 0.18%. Mining stocks led the advancers with Antofagasta in the lead.

Core Inflation, Highest in a Decade

Elena
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

The Commerce Department reported that consumer spending dropped by 0.1% in August, the first one since September 2005. Personal incomes rose by just 0.3%, the weakest performance in nine months. Core inflation, excluding energy and food, gained 2.5%, the biggest increase in more than a decade.

RIM Surges 19% in Pre-open

Elena
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

Research in Motion reported Q2 profit rise of $140.8 million, or 74 cents per share, exceeding estimate of 71 cents. Revenue for the period ended Sept. 2 jumped 34% to $658.5 million. The handheld wireless device maker also announced that it may have to restate past earnings results because of improperly handled stock option grants to top executives.

Japan Higher, Shanghai Surges

Ivaylo
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

Japanese government data showed industrial production rising 1.9% in August from the previous month, reinforcing the view that the economic recovery remains on track. Japanese stocks including Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group and Honda Motor gained, while Shanghai index hit its highest level in nearly two and a half years. Hong Kong, Australia also advanced and South Korea ended flat.

Europe Surges on Auto Shares

Ivaylo
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

Xetra Dax in Frankfurt and FTSE 100 in London both passed through 6,000. Markets advanced in early trading on Friday, with hedge fund manager Man Group climbing on its upbeat profit forecast and with market sentiment from the U.S. adding support. By mid morning, the FTSE 100 added 0.5%, the Dax was up 0.6%, and the CAC 40 in Paris gained 0.6%.

Gold Extends Climb

Ivaylo
29 Sep, 2006
New York City

Gold prices extended their recent climb on Thursday, with traders stating that improved physical demand and chart-based factors are the driving forces of the climb. Some of the selling pressure from earlier in the month abated when the December gold bottom of $576.60 an ounce on Sept. 15 remained above the June lows. Now, the contract is poised to return to $619, perhaps in the next couple of days.